Preceded by first leader Name Walter Dieter | Role Political leader Succeeded by George Manuel | |
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Born 31 May 1916
Peepeekisis, Saskatchewan ( 1916-05-31 ) Died September 7, 1988, Regina, Canada | ||
Walter Perry Dieter, (31 May 1916 – 7 September 1988) was a Canadian First Nations leader. He was the founding chief of the National Indian Brotherhood in 1968, which is today known as the Assembly of First Nations.
Dieter was a Cree, born on the Peepeekisis Reserve near Balcarres, Saskatchewan. He enlisted with the Royal Canadian Air Force during the Second World War but was turned away due to his tuberculosis.
He became the Regina Friendship Centre's first aboriginal president. In 1966, he became head of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations and served in that role until 1968.
In 1980 he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada for his work towards better education and social conditions for aboriginal Canadians.
He died of cancer in Regina and was buried on the Okanese Reserve.